And some not so good as their aim is to put pucks on net

CALGARY, Alberta — When in doubt, the Blackhawks shoot the puck. And when there isn't a shred of doubt, the Hawks shoot the puck.

There wasn't a team in the NHL that had put more shots on goal than the Hawks this season entering Tuesday's play. They shoot first and ask questions later. Following right along with the shots are flashing red lights and celebrations as the Hawks are the highest-scoring team with an average of 3.56 goals per game.

"We're doing a good job first of all of not passing up shots, and knowing that offense and second chances and just puck control comes from getting the puck on net and guys crashing the net and trying to find the puck," captain Jonathan Toews said. "Some of these games when you keep telling yourself not to try anything too pretty and to be smart and put that puck on net are the only way you're going to score goals."

With 860 shots heading into their game against the Flames on Wednesday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome that continues their seven-game trip, the Hawks' average of 34.4 shots per games is second to that of the Sharks (35.9), who have played two fewer contests.

"The coaches stress trying to get shots instead of making the extra pass or trying to force a play into the slot," said winger Patrick Kane, who along with teammate Marian Hossa ranks 20th in the NHL with 77 shots on goal. "That kind of gets in your head a little bit to try to shoot a little bit more. A lot of our goals come off shots from long range, whether it's through a screen or picking up a rebound."

The strategy has paid off as the Hawks hold a 13-3-4 record when outshooting opponents. They have become adept at finding shooting lanes and making opposing goaltenders pay for coughing up rebounds. Kane scored the winning goal during a 5-1 victory over the Oilers on Monday night to extend the Hawks' winning streak to three when he spotted a loose puck in the slot and made a beeline to it before flipping it in.

"We have so many guys who can score if we find a way to put the puck at the net," Hossa said. "We're playing better defensively and that creates offense."

Patrick Sharp tops the Hawks and is ninth in the NHL with 90 shots through 25 games. The winger, nicknamed "Shooter," led the team in shots for three consecutive seasons before injuries last season ended that streak. Sharp said puck possession is the key, including faceoff wins. The Hawks are sixth in the NHL with a 52.6 percent success rate on faceoffs.

"We have the puck a lot more on our side," Sharp said. "The team has been pretty good on faceoffs and we like to control the puck. And entering the zone, it's never a bad play just to throw it on net. Whether it's a prime scoring chance or not, there's often a lot of action off the shot.

"Our power play is moving the puck around a little bit better too. If you put all those things together … that's why our shots are up."